Building Minds. Building Futures

Westchester Community College provides
accessible, high quality and affordable education
to meet the needs of our diverse community.
We are committed to student success, academic
excellence, workforce development, economic
development and lifelong learning.

Careers in foods and nutrition are as varied as their list is long. The two degree programs, A.A.S. and A.S., offered by this department prepare students for very different types of careers.

Working under the guidance of a registered dietitian, the dietetic technician is responsible for securing and evaluating a patient’s diet history; interpreting a physician’s diet orders; assisting patients in making menu selections; instructing individuals, families, or groups about normal nutrition and routine medical nutrition therapy; planning menus at different economic levels in accordance with varying cultural patterns; and collecting needed information from a patient’s chart to formulate a nutrition care plan. Additionally, students are exposed to the functions of a hospital food service, preparing them for management positions in this or similar types of establishments.

A unique aspect of this program of study is the 450-hour, professionally supervised clinical practice in area hospitals, nursing homes, and community agencies. This experience enables students to implement the skills and principles taught in the classroom. Students are required to wear the designated uniform in clinical practice.

A malpractice fee is payable each academic year that the student is enrolled in a practicum, and a physical examination is required once yearly.

The Dietetic Technician program is designed primarily for students who plan to seek employment directly upon graduation. Graduates have secured positions in health care facilities (hospitals and nursing homes), community agencies, and wellness and weight reduction centers. Graduates also may transfer to baccalaureate programs. Our students benefit from transfer agreements with local four-year colleges.

Our Dietetic Technician program currently is accredited by The American Dietetic Association’s Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education (CADE), a specialized accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the United States Department of Education. Graduates are eligible to take the certifying exam to become “Dietetic Technician, Registered” if they earn a verification statement upon graduating.

Students enrolled in the Dietetic Technician Program must maintain a minimum grade of “C” in required departmental courses in order to continue in the program.

The following 2 courses must be taken together, or taken in the order in which they appear:

Minimum Total Credits: 65

Advisement Guide: The Advisement Guide provides important information to students about how best to complete this degree, including a semester-by-semester breakdown of how best to complete the required classes. Click here for the Advisement Guide’s 4-Semester Plan.